USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens > Part 20
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196
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
Nathaniel Finch settled on the land now owned and cultivated by George W. Long, made some improvements, and in a few years sold his claim to Thomas Cox. His claim included the land of G. W. Long, Jacob Shamberger and John Holumbaugh. After disposing of his claim, he, like his brother, was tired of frontier life, and returned to Platte County, and soon thereafter died and rests by the side of his brothers.
Joseph Huff first occupied the land now owned by Mrs. Phoebe McGinnis and James McNeal. He built a log cabin near by the large spring which rises near the residence of Mrs. McGinnis, and inclosed and put in cultivation about twenty acres of land west of the Branch.
William Stevens pitched his tent on the Eshelman farm, one-half mile south of Graham, where he remained and made some improve- ments during a few years following.
A gentleman by the name of Henshaw located on the Henry Bau- blitt farm, and William Thomas occupied the land now owned by Mrs. Jemima Scott, and that of Elder Shuff. Each of them made such im- provements as the circumstances would permit. James Waumic and Ben Owens spent the summer without locating in any particular place- were " hanging 'round the edges."
These families constituted the entire neighborhood, and were sixty miles distant from any white persons, with the exception of a few people on White Cloud. How isolated and lonely was their situation, without roads, mills, workshops, mechanics, or mail facilities-deprived of almost everything that we deem essential to our happiness, comfort and well- being. Not a foot of land had been dedicated for a resting place for the body when the toils of life were ended ; without shroud or coffin the idol of households had to be committed to the cold earth, no stone or monument to mark the spot where earthly flowers had faded, and were mouldering into dust. The voice of the shepherd who now proclaims the riches of salvation was not heard ; yet they carried with them the Bible promises treasured up in honest, faithful hearts, and when the shadow fell upon them, and the rumbling clods were hiding forever from their view earth's treasures, its words whispered of " love in heaven, the home of angels, and joys too pure to die," and in faith they braved all trials and struggled on, until many have been called to rest from their labors on earth, and we trust have ascended the mountain where eternal sunshine settles on the head.
During the fall, Ben Owens secured what is now known as the Wm. Burris farm, with the exception of the south eighty acres, which was purchased by James Waumic. Ben Owens built a log house and fenced several acres of ground and continued to improve the premises for a few years, when he sold his interest to a gentleman from Platte County, by the name of Thomas Baker, and soon thereafter went to the Lone Star State of Texas, where he pitched his tent, and we learn is doing well.
197
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
Thomas Baker was a man of considerable means, and extended his claim northward and entered a considerable tract of land, including the fine farm of Nick Kavanaugh. Not yet satisfied, he bought the claim of Waumic and secured a patent from the government. During his sojourn, he made some valuable improvements. Near the close of the war with Mexico he sold his land to Ennis Burris and moved to Texas.
After disposing of his interest in the land lying in the Nodaway Valley, Mr. Waumic returned to Platte County, where he remained for a number of years, and then went to Gentry County and opened and improved a farm. He yet remembers and speaks of his experience in the Nodaway Valley, and his heart grows young when he thinks of the time when he was surrounded by neighbors on whom he could look with confidence, and when he clasped their hand he knew it was the hand of a friend.
During the fall of 1840, or the winter of 1841, William Marlow and a man by the name of Robison and Abraham Cline, visited the new pur- chase and stopped in Bunten's Grove for the winter. Cline was a pro- fessional claim-taker, and explored the Nodaway Valley as far up as Clarinda, Iowa ; that part of the country was then and for many years after supposed to belong to Missouri. He made his home with Marlow, though he was often absent for weeks in hunting and laying foundations.
Marlow was, by profession, a prairie-breaker, and had left his plows and teams in the south part of Platte County. During the winter, he effected a trade with Burt Whitten, and secured a claim and building place near where the residence of Judge Shell now stands. In the spring of 1841, he brought his teams, plows, etc., to his new home and com- menced turning over the prairie for whoever saw fit and was able to employ him. When not otherwise engaged, he continued to improve his own claim in the grove. There is scarcely an early settlement in Nodaway County where Marlow's plow did not turn over the soil. For many years he lived in the house he first built in the Platte Purchase. He was a man of strong passions, and endowed with the gift of hang-on in anything he undertook; he had, unfortunately, contracted the habit of using profane language, which, from the force of habit, he found it hard to break off, as is illustrated by the following :
Some three years after his advent into Nodaway, he was attacked with bilious fever. There was no doctor nearer than Savannah. His friend and counselor, Cline, was absent on a claim-taking expedition ; therefore, Marlow concluded that death would soon put an end to his existence, and accordingly set about to make preparations for inhabiting a better country. There was no minister in all the land to offer up a prayer for his forgiveness. He remembered that there was a man by the name of Thomas Wilhite living some twelve miles distant acro s the One Hundred and Two, that he had heard pray in Indiana. He
198
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
sent for him, and soon after his friend's arrival, Marlow professed to have found rest in the arms of the Savior. In a short time the fever ceased to harrass him, and when his friend Cline returned, Marlow seized him by the hand and exclaimed, "I have had heaps of trouble since you left, but have good news to tell: I have got religion ; but don't you think Robinson's d-d old mare has been breaking into my cornfield ever since you have been gone."
So much for the force of habit among pioneers, if not among all people. He soon after sold out and settled somewhere near Fort Des Moines, Iowa.
Early in the spring of 1841, the hearts of those who had spent the dreary winter surrounded only by the red men of the forest and the wild beasts of the plains, were cheered by the presence of new comers. Among the number was Daniel Marlin, father of our esteemed friend and fellow-citizen, T. L. Marlin-who had for a few years resided in Platte County, Missouri-who cast his lot with the people who had pre- ceded him, bringing with him his family, consisting of his wife and son, Thomas L. Marlin, which was indeed a valuable acquisition in a new settlement. Mr. Marlin was a high-toned, liberal minded, energetic gen- tleman, in the fullest sense of the term.
Mr. Marlin built a log cabin near where the stately mansion of T. L. Marlin now stands, fenced and broke forty acres of land and put it under a fine state of cultivation. When the gold mines of California were dis- covered, he took the gold fever, and in 1850 left a happy home and started to California, where he hoped to accumulate wealth and then return to gladden the hearts of those whom he left behind. He wended his way westward, and death soon overtook him. He rests in the still shades in a strange land, but is not forgotten. Mrs. Marlin remained on the farm with her son, he being a small boy, and kept up the homestead. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, was a cousin of Rev. Jesse Allen, who was a shepherd of that church, and who occa- sionally made visits to encourage and cheer her in her loneliness. During his visits he held meetings and planted the banner of Christ by gather- ing into the fold many people and organizing a church, which grew in number and good deeds until 1861, when civil war scattered the flock, never again to meet until they meet on that shore where separation is unknown.
Cornelius Brackney located on the fine farm of Hiram Groves, built a house, broke and fenced forty acres of prairie land and made some other improvements. He remained on the land for some time, then sold it and moved near Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was a man of fair education and business talent, and soon after the organization of Nodaway County he was elected justice of the peace, serving as such for a number of years. Since he moved away we have lost track of him.
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HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
During the same spring Mathew Ferrell settled on the land now owned by Lewis Morgan.
Elijah Hubble occupied a piece of land some eight miles south of Maryville, near the Prather farm. It was for many years after known as the "Little John McClain place "-since owned by Frank P. Glasgow. Hubble, financially, was not a success in any sense of the word. He was addicted to hunting and fishing, and wasted a greater part of his time in that way, hence he made but little improvement. He finally sold out and moved to Honey Creek. His wife was an estimable lady, and no doubt had seen better days than she did while living on White Cloud. Under her influence Elijah left off some of his habits and joined the church. Providence smiled on him, and the last account we had of him he was a well-to-do farmer, respected and esteemed by all.
Early in the spring of 1841, the hearts of those who had spent the preceding season on White Cloud were cheered by receiving additions to their settlement. The McClain family consisted of George McClain and wife, three sons-John, James, and George-and four daughters. Three of the daughters were married, Sarah A. to Hiram Groves, Emily to a man by the name of John McClain, and Elvira to Greenville Thomp- son. James, George, and Catharine, a miss of twelve years, made their home with their father and mother. This family were an excitable, energetic people, such as we generally meet with on the frontier, and held a friend in the highest estimation. They occupied a body of land on the east side of White Cloud. Uncle George, as he was called by all, located on the farm afterward owned by Dr. James Saunders. Where the Saunders school now stands he built a log house and broke and fenced fifteen or twenty acres of prairie land. In 1842, he sold his claim to John Wiggs, a brother-in-law to Col. I. N. Prather, and opened up a farm now owned by James Heflin. There he remained for a number of years. During his sojourn on this farm his son James was prostrated by an attack of fever ; some disease followed, from the effects of which he never recovered sufficiently to be able to walk. In four or five years thereafter he had small-pox, which destroyed his eyesight. He was then a poor, blind creature as helpless as a new born babe, but not neglected or forgotten. For years and years these noble, true- hearted people seemed to esteem it as a privilege to administer to every want of that afflicted brother, until God gathered him to that home where he has promised to wipe the tears from off all faces, for surely he had put on the robes of righteousness while inhabiting this terrestrial sphere. When we think of him, the noble, kind-hearted young man, who was ever ready to lend a helping hand to the distressed and bowed down, we are carried back to the days of our chilhood when around a mother's knee, and see him when the shadow of the dark-winged mes- senger first fell across the threshold of the old homestead, and a loved
200
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
member of the household crossed the dark water and was hidden from our view forever. While remembering his goodness in that sad hour, we feel that he was too good for earth, and with sadness bade him fare- well.
Hiram Groves selected a claim half a mile southeast of the Saunders school house, and built a log cabin near where the residence of Alfred Jones now stands, and broke and fenced a few acres of land. His brother, Thomas, accompanied him to the Platte Purchase, and made his home with him for several years. The brothers working together made some valuable improvements. Hiram lived on the site of land first selected until about 1856, extending the boundary of his farm, and constructing a neat and commodious residence. He sold his land to Alfred Jones and bought a farm adjoining Graham, where he remained until 1863.
During the same spring Pleasant I. Perkins improved a claim in the timber, about one-half mile southwest of where Lycurgus Miller now lives. The improvements made by him were of an inferior character. and he soon became dissatisfied and wanted to move. Perkins had met with some reverses in love-making-had been engaged to a young lady who jilted him after he had procured his wedding suit. She became the wife of a thrifty farmer near by, and Pleas. was not happy, so he concluded to "git up and git." He sold his claim to Colonel Prather and settled in the woodland north of Fillmore.
Greenville Thompson occupied a piece of land three-quarters of a. mile north of the Saunders school house, now owned by William Y. Cox. He improved his claim in the customary manner, with the exception of building a better house. He being a carpenter, resolved to score and hew the logs, and put it up " on the square." The following winter he sold his interest to Wade H. Davis, and took a new claim.
John McClain selected a piece of land adjoining Thompson's on the north, and built a house one hundred yards west of where the residence of W. Y. Cox now stands. Not being satisfied with one claim alone, he examined the White Cloud country north of him and laid a founda- tion on the west side of William Bell's farm, and claimed all the land to the head of White Cloud. During the summer he built a house of hick- ory poles, twenty feet square, on the east side of White Cloud, near the west side of the Bell farm. During the summer he sold his first claim and moved to what is now known as the Morgan, or Bell farm.
During the summer and fall a great many emigrants located on White Cloud, and in the Nodaway Valley, in the vicinity of Graham, of whom we would like to make personal mention. Among the White Cloud settlers we remember Mijamin Byers, John B. Morgan, Col. I. N. Prather, Nathaniel Barnes, Wade H. Davis, Wm. Davis, Benjamin Win- don and Jesse Windon. All brought their families with them and opened up farms. On the Nodaway, W. I. Linville, James Linville, Joel Hedge-
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HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
peth, James Hedgepeth, the Richards, Samuel Lawson, Jacob Vinson- haler and others. Mr. Vinsonhaler afterward served the county as county judge acceptably. What was then known as the Narrows, now east of Barnard, were settled by Dyer Cash, Frank Conlin, Robert Pat- ton and others, who commenced improving lands, and from time to time these neighborhoods were strengthened by new comers.
In the following season, J. E. Alexander, Jolin Randall, Isaac Cox, Joseph Hudson, Thomas Adams, the Sizemores, the Johnsons and many others came to Nodaway. But we failed to mention Neal Gillum, who settled in 1840, in White Oak Grove, near Xenia. He was an old bache- lor and trapped and hunted for a livelihood, yet, notwithstanding his occupation, he had been elected and represented all of the counties in the Platte Purchase in the State Senate. He was the first civil officer we met with in the new home, and indeed, on first acquaintance, he did not speak very well for the country ; still he was a man of fair ability. Soon after our advent into the county, late one evening, a man dressed in deerskin pants and hunting shirt, with a gun on his shoulder, and all of a hunter's paraphernalia, called for lodgings. In those days, although one room constituted the whole dwelling, no one was denied admit- tance. Gillum was invited in and offered a chair, which he declined to accept, stating that he had not sat on one for so long he could not rest, but seated himself on a wood pile in the corner, and in half an hour was stretched on his back enjoying his pipe, and narrating his experience while in the State Senate. So much for pioneer officers. In those days there was not a post office nearer than Savannah, and it cost twenty- five cents postage on each letter. But still correspondence was carried on notwithstanding it would take half a day's hard work to pay the expenses. Letters were always welcome messages, and were usually written on foolscap, folded and sealed with a red wafer. These letters always contained something about love, religion, marriage or death. Those quaint old letters have long since failed to put in an appearance. The writers-where are they ? Many of them, we trust, have sat down in the kingdom of their Father, and to-day are celebrating their redemp- tion from sin, and the grave, in the shades of paradise.
The nearest grist or saw mill was Blacksnake Creek where the city of St. Joseph now stands. A small one horse affair it was. There was also a mill on Platte River near "Old Agency Ford," known as Kibby's Mill. For several years these mills furnished the pioneers with breadstuff. As was the usual custom, some two or three neighbors would join and take thirty or forty bushels of corn to mill, (wheat was not thought of ), and on their return the entire neighborhood was supplied. Then it came the turn of another to go, and their borrowings had to be paid. In this manner they kept fresh breadstuffs. It usually consumed a
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HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
week's time to go to mill and return, and it was through such difficulties as those that this fair country was developed.
In 1843-4, Andrew Brown bought the Hogan land and built a small mill on the Elkhorn just east of Brown's spring. This was a great relief as it was near by, though men and boys frequently rode twelve or fifteen miles on a sack of corn laid across a horse, and returned home the same day, feeling that it was a small job to go to mill. Andrew Brown after- ward laid out the town of Graham calling it Jacksonville. In 1858-9, the Legislature changed the name to Graham, so that the post office and town would bear the same name. In 1845 the Bridgewater Mill was built by Moore & Cock, which was indeed a valuable acquisition. For many years there were no doctors north of Savannah, the people having to do the best they could in cases of sickness. It may be asked what kind of people were the old settlers ? We answer, a moral people who reverenced the laws of God and the country. They did not desecrate the Sabbath. The river and creek banks were not lined by fisherman on Sunday as they now are. And although game was plenty, the qui- etude of the Sabbath was not rendered hideous by the crack of the rifle or the shot gun. The Sabbath day was spent at meeting or Sabbath school, sometimes visiting. Although there were no church houses, they worshipped in some private residences in winter, and under the shade of lofty trees, " God's first temples," during summer.
The pioneers raised flax and hemp, and the female portion spun their thread, spun yarn and wove it into cloth, of which garments were made. There was no talk of "store clothes" in those days. I would to God that the days of economy would again return-there would be less talk of hard times.
Having already trespassed on your time, I will bring this rude sketch to a close ; yet when I look over this large assembly of well dressed, intelligent ladies and gentlemen, and the usual prolific crop of babies. I can but miss the faces of many who penetrated these wilds thirty-five or forty years ago. Their voices have died away on earth ; they are qui- etly sleeping beneath the green sward which covers them in the land they helped to reclaim and make beautiful. May the starry banner of freedom ever float in triumph over their lowly beds, and the wild birds continue to chant their requiem in the boughs that shade their quiet home."
The following is a list of the old settlers of Hughes Township :
Year.
Year.
Isaac Hogan
1839
Dr. J. W. Morgan
1841
Daniel Hogan
1839
Jacob Vinsonhaler 1841
Richard Taylor
1839
George Vinsonhaler. 1841
Robert M. Stewart
1839
D. M. Vinsonhaler 1841
203
IHISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
Lorenzo Dow. 1840
Andrew Brown 1842
Wesley Jenkins
1840
John Brown
1842
James Finch.
1840
Jacob Brown 1842
Thomas Finch
1840
Josiah Brown. 1842
Humphrey Finch. 1840
Wilson Brown. 1842
Joel Hedgepeth 1840
Cox. 18.44
James Hedgepeth
1840
Thomas Cox 1844
Lewis Hedgepeth.
1840
Abraham Linville. 1845
Father Hedgepeth
1840
Thomas Baker. 1845
James Linville 1840
Joel Stowe 1844
WV. I. Linville. 1 840
William Stowe.
1844
Campbell Linville. 1840
William Broyles
1844
James Waumick
1841
Bartlett Curl
1843
Nathaniel Finch
1840
James Curl 1843
Joseph Hough
1840
Peter Noffsinger 1843
Elijah Bunten
1839
James Noffsinger . 1843
Huntsucker.
1840
William Noffsinger
1843
Henshaw
1840
Peter Noffsinger, Jr.
1843
Benjamin Owens.
1839
Martin Noffsinger. 1843
Cornelius Brackney 1840
John Clarke 1843
Daniel Marlin
1841
Jefferson Ragsdell. 1845
Henry C. Linville
1840
William Glaze.
1843
Marion Linville.
1840
William Stevens
1840
Pickerells.
1841
John Isom. 1843
John Wright.
1843
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
was organized in 1840. The names of original members were: James Finch and wife, Joel Hedgepeth and Jane, Bethanie Linville, Nathaniel Finch, Thomas Finch, James Hedgepeth and Ruth Hedgepeth. The early pastors were : - Aldrich and - Baxter, who labored in 1841-42; Alexander Spencer, who had charge in 1844-45 ; present pastor, Rev. Milland. Present membership, thirty-two. This was, perhaps, the first church organization in the county.
SWAN CHAPEL.
It was organized in 1866. Names of original members, William Perden, with three others. The church was built in 1879, frame build- ing, at a cost of $1,500, and was dedicated by Elder Wayman. Names of pastors, S. H. Enyeart and J. A. Shewatles. Number of present mem- bership, sixty. The church has three acres of land, including ceme- tery.
204
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized in 1869. Names of original members: Henry Forcade and wife, Pelis Forcade and wife, H. A. Forcade and wife, Anderson Cragg and wife, Fayette Cook and wife. The church was built in 1881, frame building, at a cost of $1,300, and was dedicated November 13, 1881, Rev. J. W. Maylott is the pastor. Number of present membership, forty- eight. The following amounts were donated for building purposes : Henry Forcade, $200; Fayette Cook, $100; Peter Forcade, $75 ; Albert For- cade, $75 ; Anderson Cragg, $100. The church is situated three miles north of Graham.
THE CHURCH OF GOD
was organized in 1871. Names of original members : James McNeal and wife, John Riply, Mrs. Aaron McNeal, C. E. Bowen and wife, Mr. Fleagle and wife, Israel Crawford and wife and Mrs. Elizabeth McNeal. Names of deacons, Wilson Crawford and James McNeal. Names of pastors : L. W. Murry, McEllis, Kinsey, Holmes, Woodberry, Blakely and Bolton. Number of present membership, twenty-two. Will erect a house of wor- ship in 1882.
THE M. E. CHURCH.
on section 34, township 37, range 62, was organized in 1873. The names of the original members were Daniel Dodge, Mrs. Amelia Dodge, John Ashford, John Aldridge, Fanny Aldridge, Stephen Davis, Susan Davis, Edwin Davis, Wilson McMurry, Rev. A. K. Miller, Jane C. Miller and George Ingman. The church services are held in the school house, a frame building. The names of those who have served the church as its pastors are Revs. Balson, W. L. Edwinson, W. H. Cowley, Huffman E. V. Roof. The number of present membership is twelve.
BETHANY CHURCH
was organized in 1880. Names of original members, B. F. Whipp, J. H. Campbell, Isaac Miller. The church was built in 1880, frame building, at a cost of $1,600. It was dedicated the second Sunday in June, 1880, by William A. Gardner. Name of pastor, L. D. Cook. Number of present membership, eighty. B. F. Whipp, clerk ; Isaac Miller, Jesse Tracy, elders ; J. H. Campbell, B. F. Whipp, deacons. Mr. B. F. Whipp donated some two acres of land for church and cemetery, situated in the south- west quarter of section 22, 36, 62, Hughes Township, seven miles west of Barnard.
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HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Elkhorn Patrons of Husbandry was incorporated January, 1873. The names of the charter members are as follows : J. B. Decker and wife, T. B. Greenelsh and wife, I. Colter and wife, Ed. Thayer and wife, and J. M. Linville and wife. The charter was granted October 15, 1873, and re-organized September 20, 1880. The hall was built in 1880-a frame building-at a cost of $750. It was organized by Col. Jasper Needham, of Outly, Kansas, on November 12, 1880. Worthy Master, W. H. Bell ; Overseer, W. A. Sewell ; Secretary, J. B. Deekes ; Chaplain, D. Fullington ; Lecturer, C. E. Bowen ; Steward, A. Forcade ; Assist- ant Steward, F. A. Anderson; Pomona, Mary Colter ; Flora, Susa Groves ; Ceres, Bettie Linville ; Lady Assistant, Palina Morgan ; Gate Keeper, Louis Royston. Membership 100.
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